Ebony Mcqueen 2 x 2 Cassettes & Book

I am very happy to see Eurythmics being inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year (2022). They are way overdue. I liked them immediately when I first heard/saw the video for "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" back in 1983 as a 10-year-old. The following year, in August 1984, I saw them live at Red Rocks amphitheater in outside Denver, Colorado. That Christmas, I received my first Eurythmics cassette tape, "Touch". Shortly after that, I bought the cassette tape, "1984 (For the Love of Big Brother)". I went back and got "Sweet Dreams" and in 1985, "Be Yourself Tonight". In 1986, I was highly anticipating "Revenge" in July, and I saw them live again at Red Rocks amphitheater in August 1986. That would be the last time.I was disappointed they decided to split in 1990, and to my surprise Dave Stewart released his first solo album that year which I bought. The following year, in 1991, I was somewhat unaware that he released a second solo album, "Honest", which I think was only released outside America, which is why I was unaware. However, in 1994, I did pick up "Greetings from the Gutter" only to once again find out after the fact, that, in 1998, he had released "Sly-Fi" outside America. Of course, Eurythmics reformed for one album in 1999, "Peace", and I didn't get to see them on that tour.Over a decade would pass before Stewart's next solo work, 2011's "The Blackbird Diaries" along with an all-star supergroup, "SuperHeavy". He released (surprisingly) two more solo albums in quick succession with "The Ringmaster General" (2012) and "Lucky Numbers" (2013) before going dormant for another decade. And now he gives us "Ebony McQueen", an 84-minute Beatles opus in 26 tracks.No thank you! You know what I say about albums that are over 40 minutes (the 'Golden' length for an album)? Too long. Unless you really knock it out of the park, but most double albums are bloated filler filled affairs--even The Beatles' "White Album" (1968). In fact, I don't know that I really enjoy any double album from any artist be it Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles--nobody, really. It's unnecessary. Short and sweet. Save the rest for your next album in a year or so.Now that that's out of the way, I can always rely on Stewart to give some highlights on each album he produces. Here, it's the title track, "As You Like It", "Walking on Blue", "Unhappy Town", "Mr. Jolly", "Ebony Says", "Juniper", "Waiting for the Rain", "What's the F Point?", and "Two Kids". Had Dave stuck with those 10 tracks he might have had a four star album, but no. This album is just too long to sustain itself. I felt the same way about his debut in 1990, "Dave Stewart and the Spiritual Cowboys". There are 14 tracks, and the album is over an hour. Too long. That's one of my favorite albums, too. Really, it's "Sly-Fi" that might be his best, tightest, most focused work.Here's how "Ebony McQueen" compares to Dave Stewart's other solo works:1990 Dave Stewart And The Spiritual Cowboys: Four Stars1991 Honest: Four Stars1994 Greetings From The Gutter: Three and a Half Stars1998 Sly-Fi: Four Stars2011 The Blackbird Diaries: Three and a Half Stars2011 Superheavy (by Superheavy): Four Stars2012 The Ringmaster General: Three Stars2013 Lucky Numbers: Three Stars2022 Ebony McQueen: Three Stars